Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - 4* Hotwire hotel near LHR?

It's a great price, and for 3 nights, I'm darn close to booking it. But does anyone have a hint as to which hotel it might be? I'm deathly curious...

Crowne Plaza maybe. http://www.betterbidding.com may help out.

With Priceline, Sheraton Skyline is quite popular. With Hotwire, maybe the Marriott, Renaissance or Crowne Plaza.

Which amenities are listed on Hotwire for the hotel?

"4-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This upscale establishment offers thoughtful features, quality rooms and a high level of service."
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s) pool(s) gym(s) biz center. $56/night

3-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This midscale establishment offers more than just the basics in style, comfort and customer service.
Amenities: Biz ctr, restaurant(s) $49/night

3.5-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR
This distinctive establishment offers comfortable rooms, personal service and some upscale features.
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s), hi-speed internet $70/night"

"4-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This upscale establishment offers thoughtful features, quality rooms and a high level of service."
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s) pool(s) gym(s) biz center. $56/night

3-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This midscale establishment offers more than just the basics in style, comfort and customer service.
Amenities: Biz ctr, restaurant(s) $49/night

3.5-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR
This distinctive establishment offers comfortable rooms, personal service and some upscale features.
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s), hi-speed internet $70/night"

The 3-star seems like either the Ariel Holiday Inn or the Thistle.

"4-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This upscale establishment offers thoughtful features, quality rooms and a high level of service."
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s) pool(s) gym(s) biz center. $56/night

3-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This midscale establishment offers more than just the basics in style, comfort and customer service.
Amenities: Biz ctr, restaurant(s) $49/night

3.5-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR
This distinctive establishment offers comfortable rooms, personal service and some upscale features.
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s), hi-speed internet $70/night"

The 4-star sounds like the Sheraton Skyline or more likely the Crowne Plaza.

"4-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This upscale establishment offers thoughtful features, quality rooms and a high level of service."
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s) pool(s) gym(s) biz center. $56/night

3-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR This midscale establishment offers more than just the basics in style, comfort and customer service.
Amenities: Biz ctr, restaurant(s) $49/night

3.5-star hotel in London Heathrow Intl Airport LHR
This distinctive establishment offers comfortable rooms, personal service and some upscale features.
Amenities: Airport shuttle, restaurant(s), hi-speed internet $70/night"

The 3.5-star may be the Holiday Inn Heathrow.

I forgot to say that when it says airport shuttle for the hotels that is not a free airport shuttle. It is a reference to the Hotel Hopper bus that costs something like 3 pounds one way or 5 pounds for a round-trip.

Last summer I got the Sheraton Skyline with a pretty low bid in this category. Upon email notification of my Starwood status, I got upgraded. Very good deal.

I have only used Hotwire once and was not that pleased. However, I used Priceline several times last year for 4* hotels at Heathrow. All but once, the hotel was the Sheraton Skyline (they gave me my benefits as Elite Platimum). The other time it was the Crowne Plaza.

However looking at www.biddingfortravel.com, that some on FF don't like, I see that also there was one recent Marriott award. The winning bids were generally in the $50 to $65 dollar range plus $15 to $20 tax and fees.

As posted, there are no free hotel shuttles. Most people use the Hotel Hopper at 3 pounds one way. However there is a free bus from the bus station at terminal 2. It stops directly opposite the Sheraton, but is a walk from the Crowne Plaza.

Thanks, friends! Informed bidding is the way to play this game. Stuff like this is why FT is so great! ^

I just booked this on hotwire, it's the 3 star one:

Hotel Details: 1 room(s), 3 night(s)
HOLIDAY INN LONDON-HEATHROW-ARIEL
118 BATH ROAD
Hayes, UB3 5AJ
United Kingdom
Hotel Confirmation No.: 63971942
1 room(s) @ $39.00 per night x 3 night(s) $117.00
Hotel Taxes and fees: $27.67
Hotel Subtotal $144.67
Total Price $144.67

I just booked this on hotwire, it's the 3 star one:

Hotel Details: 1 room(s), 3 night(s)
HOLIDAY INN LONDON-HEATHROW-ARIEL
118 BATH ROAD
Hayes, UB3 5AJ
United Kingdom
Hotel Confirmation No.: 63971942
1 room(s) @ $39.00 per night x 3 night(s) $117.00
Hotel Taxes and fees: $27.67
Hotel Subtotal $144.67
Total Price $144.67

It's a very good deal given what the going rate normally is there. You can take the public buses 105 and 140 from the LHR Central Bus Terminal to close to the hotel (just in front of it). And as the hotel falls within the Bath Rd. "Free Travel Zone" on your way there, the ride is free and works well when luggage is not cumbersome.

Do note that there are two Holiday Inn hotels on Bath Rd, and the first Holiday Inn you see on the way from LHR Terminals 1,2,3 is the Holiday Inn-London Heahtrow and the second one you see will be your hotel the Holiday Inn-London Heathrow Ariel. (To get an idea of what the outside of the hotel looks likes, go to www.ichotelsgroup.com and pull up the hotel there.)

Many thanks for the bus info, saves money and also another chance to get back to the airport. That pesky £3 hotel-hoppa bus never seems to show up when you're outside the hotel wondering if you'll miss your flight. Especially weekends

Many thanks for the bus info, saves money and also another chance to get back to the airport. That pesky £3 hotel-hoppa bus never seems to show up when you're outside the hotel wondering if you'll miss your flight. Especially weekends

On the trip from the hotel to the airport, the closest bus stop does not fall within the "free bus zone"; so you'll either have to walk an extra 200 feet further up the road or pony up the bus fare for the public bus or for the Hotel Hoppa. It is the airport to the hotel trip where the ride on the public (non-Hoppa) bus is free.

A one day bus travelcard -- for unlimited public bus travel -- can be bought at the LHR Tube Station for a cost of 3.50 pounds, or alternatively you can buy a zone 1-6 one-day travelcard for around 6.80 pounds for unlimited public bus and subway rides in the Greater London area (i.e., from the airport to downtown, etc.). Just something to keep in mind if you plan to do more than stick around the airport or airport hotel.